Breeding Corydoras incolicana

Breeding Corydoras incolicana: sexing, cooler water-change trigger, egg deposition on glass and mops, and raising fry over sand.

Overview

Corydoras incolicana (also placed in the genus Brochis) is a callichthyid catfish from the Rio Icana in the upper Rio Negro basin, Amazonas state, Brazil (and possibly Colombia). Seriously Fish gives a maximum standard length of 70-80 mm; FishBase records a maximum of about 5.2 cm SL with a tolerance of pH 6.0-8.0, hardness 2-25 dH, and 22-26 C.

Sexing

Females tend to grow larger, and sexually mature individuals are noticeably broader and deeper-bodied than males.

Conditioning

Use a ratio of two or more males per female if possible, and condition them well so that females become visibly full of eggs before spawning is attempted.

Breeding Setup

Provide deposition sites in the form of aquarium glass, fine-leaved vegetation, or sunken spawning mops, the latter recommended. Fry are reported to be less susceptible to ailments when maintained over a thin layer of sand.

Spawning Behaviour & Trigger

When the females are visibly full of eggs, perform a large 50-70% water change with cooler water and increase oxygenation and flow. Repeat this daily until the fish spawn.

Egg & Fry Care

Eggs are placed on the glass, among fine-leaved vegetation, or within spawning mops. Incubation is normally 3-4 days, after which yolk-absorbed fry accept small live foods such as microworm and Artemia nauplii. Fry require excellent water quality.

Common Challenges

Seriously Fish notes the fry are not the easiest to raise and depend on excellent water quality; rearing them over a thin sand layer helps reduce losses.